Most students have a hard time with math, especially in high school. At the same time you can do brain jogging with math. Because those who deal with mathematical problems in their youth improve their brain development.
Math as a horror subject?
Complicated, abstract and unrealistic, that's how the majority of students perceive it. Mathematics – even higher mathematics – could be an interesting discipline. It would just be better to motivate young people to do so. For example, like this: Math problems can be used to measurably train the brain. Freely according to the motto: Sport is good for the body and math for the brain.
Mathematics as a brain booster
Now that's some good news to kick off the new school year. And maybe it also helps to see the number one hate subject in a new light. Because now there is actually scientific support that has identified math as an amplifier of neuronal networking. A study from England comes to the interesting conclusion that natural science even has the ability to neurologically optimize our brain – a kind of brain jogging with math.
Little formation, few neurotransmitters
In this study, researchers at Oxford University investigated the effects of a lack of mathematics education on brain development and future performance. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the scientists scanned the middle frontal lobe of the geriatric cortex and the lateral parietal lobe, two key regions involved in arithmetic.
Adolescents who lacked math instruction showed a decrease in the neurotransmitter GABA compared to study participants who continued to receive math instruction. Background: In Great Britain, it is possible to opt out of mathematics at school at the age of 16.
Higher mathematics is needed
Education has a long-term impact on people's lives. It can bring success at work and recognition, for example. What education does to our brains on a biological level in terms of cognitive development is something we have known very little about until now.
But now, for the first time, confirmation seems to have been found for the amption that logical thinking and cognitive learning play a role in the networking of neurons. According to this report, you learn math for your brain. And conversely, a lack of mathematical education seems to have a negative impact on brain development.
So if you think basic math is enough for the rest of your life, you'll never reach your full mental potential. At least that's what the study results from Oxford suggest.